Abel said the calls have been for a number of different things though many have been battery-related. Since the company handles many of the problems with larger vehicles, including tractor trailers, they have seen an increase in the air lines freezing on trucks.

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“It is typical, especially when the weather drops below freezing,” Abel said. “I always say if we can’t do it, it can’t be done.”

According to AAA, batteries are the biggest problem for roadside assistance during a stretch of cold weather. On Tuesday, AAA Mid-Atlantic responded to 2,629 battery calls, nearly double the 1,363 calls it received on the same day in 2012. The motor club reported that emergency roadside assistance calls rose more than 50 percent Tuesday compared to year-ago numbers. Territory-wide, AAA Mid-Atlantic responded to 7,917 requests Tuesday, up 57 percent from last year. And with temperatures in the 20s and going down through Wednesday, that trend was likely to continue.

“When temperatures plummet, automotive failures skyrocket,” said Jenny Robinson, manager of public and government affairs for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “We know that the severe cold will cause calls to AAA for jump starts and frozen locks to increase tremendously, but most of these calls are preventable with appropriate maintenance. In frigid weather like this, weak car batteries are the first to go, so it’s worth having your battery checked – and if you’ve postponed vehicle maintenance, now is the time to take care of it.”

David Young, owner of Young’s Garage Inc., said the company had not responded to a large number of calls as of Wednesday, but the forecast of sub-freezing temperatures through the week does not look good for motorists.

“After one day people can jump start their car, but that won’t happen after three or four,” Young said.

A representative from West Chester Tire and Service said many of his service calls have been typical winter repairs, though nothing out of the ordinary so far.

According to the national weather service, high temperatures for the area are not expected to be above freezing until Monday, with highs for Thursday, Friday and Saturday in the mid 20s.

The weather service was predicting a 60 percent chance of snow on Friday. According to Accuweather, a storm will bring one to two inches to Chester County.

The reason for failing car batteries in low temperatures is because of the loss of strength in the battery itself. AAA said at zero degrees, a car’s battery loses about 60 percent of its strength, though the engine needs about twice as much power to start. At 32 degrees, a battery is 35 percent weaker.

“If you are not planning on using a vehicle for several days, we urge you to at least start it and run it for a few minutes to avoid a nasty surprise,” Robinson said. “And give yourself plenty of time getting started in the morning in case your car won’t start.”

AAA gave these tips for driving in the extreme cold:

Charge. Drivers should make sure the battery terminals and cables are securely attached and free of corrosion. A load test performed by a qualified technician will help determine if a car’s battery is strong enough for cold weather starts.

Key Solution. With moisture from the ice and snow combining with frigid temperatures, lock failure will be very common. Frozen door locks can be overcome by carefully heating the end of a key with a match or lighter. Other methods include: dipping the tip of the key in rubbing alcohol, using a can of de-icer spray, or heating the lock with a hair dryer. Never pour hot water on a lock or windshield because this could worsen the problem or cause the windshield to shatter.

Cool It. Make certain cooling system antifreeze is mixed with an equal portion of water for maximum protection. Flush out your radiator and refill with a 50/50 mix at least once every three years.

Air It Out. Don’t let frigid temperatures tempt you into starting your car in a closed garage or idling your engine for long periods with the windows closed. Carbon monoxide, present in exhaust fumes, is almost impossible to detect and can be fatal when breathed in a confined area.